Database storage used to be expensive. In the 1950’s, the cost per megabyte of storage exceeded $10,000/MB. Today, the cost has dropped to a few cents. Not only have storage costs dropped, so have memory costs as they have followed the same price drop as storage. Taking advantage of lower costs; most DB manufacturers have begun offering high performance in memory databases (IMDB – In-Memory Database).

From an ECM perspective; because of the higher database costs, content storage solutions were designed to use databases to store only the metadata or the index values associated with content, and the actual files and documents were stored on cheaper file storage devices. While lowering costs, this approach meant that ECM solutions were forced with managing, synchronizing, backing up, and designing applications where index values were one place and the actual documents, audio/video files were somewhere else. Continue reading →

As an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution provider, we have been solving complex problems, integrating disparate systems and driving efficiencies for the last 20 years. One solution that we have developed for the Superior Courts in the State of California epitomizes these efforts by connecting multiple state agencies and creating automation efficiencies in what used to be a manual process prone to delays and exceptions.

The State of California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) works directly with the Superior Courts of CA on a regular basis. Filings are submitted from DCSS to the courts for processing and approval, and they typically consist of documents for requesting types of judgments or parental obligations specific to child support.

Last year DCSS mandated that the courts start moving towards an electronic interchange for transmitting the filings (documents and associated metadata) between the agencies. With our customer partners at the Superior Courts in California, we reviewed the current process and requirements, devised a plan, and implemented a solution to automate the receiving, processing and transmitting of the packages. The solution consisted of the following steps in the process: Continue reading →

Web Calendars are commonly used in courts around the county. Usually an extension of the Case Management System, the electronic calendar allows judges, commissioners and clerks to electronically view what cases are heard in various departments each day.

Directly integrating a Document Management System, like ILINX, with the Case Management System, and by extension the Web Calendar, provides benefits achieved in the courtroom. Working in the familiar Case Management System, integration allows judges and commissioners to sort the calendar according to their needs/criteria to quickly retrieve critical and relevant data. Clips designated in ILINX allow targeted content to come to the top, while the standard search provides a sort from newest to oldest.

The combination of the Web Calendar and the ILINX Document Management System provides a comprehensive view of party and case records. Associated cases, linked through the party ID, show in the result set and give the judge or commissioner a comprehensive view of the case.

The Web Calendar can also designate when a case has been heard. As cases are completed in the courtroom, the Web Calendar is updated to reflect heard cases. This enables anyone in the court to know the status of a particular courtroom or department.

Having images available directly through the Web Calendar enables multiple people to view the document at the same time. In a paper world, a document has to be passed back and forth among parties in the courtroom. With the electronic courtroom, multiple people are able to access the same document through ILINX.

There is a point in many Project Manager’s careers where they are considered certified “Project Manager Professional” (PMP®) according to the world’s leading professional associations for project management; Project Management Institute (PMI®). This certification takes time, dedication, experience and mentored guidance to see it through and should not be taken lightly. The title of PMP® after my name is something I have been striving toward for years. With the guidance that the ImageSource family has provided along with the experience through ILINX implementations, I am now merely a few weeks away from achieving my goals rather than years. I have heard that the upcoming test is going to be difficult, tricky and challenging, but I know that with the support of my mentors at ImageSource and the knowledge I have gained through ECM technologies, I will pass with flying colors.

If you are a Project Manager looking to become PMP certified, you can find more information about testing, registering and more here!

As a Project Manager at ImageSource, it is my job to educate and guide stakeholders to the best solution based on budget, timelines and requirements. Having previously worked as a consultant at ImageSource, I’ve worked with the stakeholders of an organization to outline the scope of an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution for their business. During this process, our project management team conducts interviews of the users as well as workshops. The workshops help to demonstrate what is necessary for the organization to become more efficient rather than having unnecessary features, which, at times, can cause more work. As ECM technology continues to advance, more and more features become available and included in products. During the workshops, stakeholders must make tough decisions on what features are needed verses those that would just be nice to have.

Once these requirements are identified, our next objective is to review the products available, such as ILINX, IBM and Oracle, that will cover all the features the business needs to become more efficient. Currently on the market are several out-of-the-box software options that may fulfill some of the requirements needed. However, most organizations, small or large, have business processes that are unique and require configurable workflow options, database links and/or specific security requirements. Software that has this functionality ranges in licensing costs, software costs and implementation costs. It is important to have the requirements clearly identified from the beginning so that when the organization begins to review the software demos and proof of concepts, the best and most cost efficient solution is selected.

Products and Solutions for ECM

Although we have officially suspended this blog location, we are regularly posting this and other valuable content at Technical Blog, and our Software and Development Blog. Questions? Contact: inforequest@imagesourceinc.com Or visit our website: imagesourceinc.com | ILINX.com

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